Uncertain future for 155-year-old Fenton seminary building now in county hands

On Monday, Genesee County foreclosed on the Fenton seminary building, which has been unused since 1967. City of Fenton and county officials are uncertain about the future of the building and will seek an engineer to see how structural sound the building is.Eric Dresden | edresden@mlive.com

FENTON, MI – The future is uncertain for a 155-year-old seminary that has lapsed into county hands.

County Treasurer Deb Cherry said the county foreclosed on it
on Monday for more than $20,000 in unpaid taxes.

The property could eventually go up for auction or be transferred to Fenton control.

"We would work with the city in trying to take care of that
property," she said.

Officials with the city and county said they are uncertain if the
structure is safe to maintain.

After discussion between the county and city, Fenton will
put up a six-foot tall fence around the building and an engineer will visit the building soon
to see if the building is structure of the building salvageable or if there is "imminent
danger" of the building collapsing.

"We don't know what we're going to find in there," said Brad
Hissong, city building and zoning administrator.

The building was built in
1867 had been a seminary for 18 years, a home for retired Baptist ministers, an
apartment complex, a school and a convalescent home. It has been vacant
since 1967.

Hissong said multiple people have claimed to have land contracts for the spot, but the city is uncertain who had the deed before Genesee County took control of the land.

The plot is registered with the National Historical Society but the city could still tear it down if presented an imminent danger, said Hissong.F